Expression of the CD44 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 were examined in 43 cases of breast carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining with CD44 antibodies demonstrated dif- fuse cytoplasmic positivity in tumor cells of intraductal and invasive carcinoma. Matrix metalloproteinase 3 was present in invasive cancer cells and surronding stromal cells. Expression of the CD44 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 were moderately correlated. Expression of the CD44 was associated with the large size of primary tumor(>=2cm), the histologic grade by Bloom-Richardson, the presence of metastatic node, and the clinical stage. Overall five-year survival rate in 43 patients was 74.0+-9.6% and the disease free survival curve showed significant difference according to the expression of CD44. However, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 3 was not associated with variable prognostic factors and disease free survivaL From this study, it is concluded that expression of the CD44 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 were associated with invasion of breast cancer and expression of the CD44 could be used as a prognostic indicator in breast cancers. However, the expression of matrix metal- loproteinase 3 had the limited value.
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